July 19, 2012
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF football head coach George O'Leary announced offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Brent Key has received the title of assistant head coach. Key will remain the leader of the Knights' offensive line and recruiting efforts, as he gets set to enter his eighth season with the Black and Gold.
"I'm very happy to announce the new title for offensive line coach Brent Key as the UCF assistant head coach," said coach O'Leary, who begins his ninth season at the helm of the Knights' program. "I always try to reward coaches who have shown the maturity and responsibility that goes with coaching and that title. Throughout the years, Brent has demonstrated that he truly deserves this."
Key started his UCF career in 2005 as a graduate assistant before instructing the tight ends in 2006. He was first put in charge of recruiting in 2007, handled tight ends and special teams in 2008 and jumped to the offensive line in 2009.
"It's a great opportunity to continue to advance in the profession that I love, and work under a man who I respect not only as my boss but also as a mentor," Key said. "Knowing that he trusts me in this position and has enough confidence in me to get the job done means a lot to me. "
Key played for coach O'Leary at Georgia Tech from 1997-00, starting at right guard all four seasons with the Yellow Jackets. During his career, he helped Tech rank in the top three in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing all four years.
A native of Birmingham, Ala., Key stayed on with the Georgia Tech program as a graduate assistant from 2001-02, then took over the tight ends and running backs at Western Carolina in 2004.
While under coach O'Leary, Key and the Knights have advanced to four bowl games and won the Conference USA title in 2007 and 2010. That 2010 campaign proved to be the best in program history as UCF went 11-3 and defeated Georgia in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl for the team's first bowl victory.
In the last two seasons, two offensive linemen have advanced to the NFL, as Jah Reid was taken in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and Nick Pieschel joined the Chicago Bears as a free agent earlier this year.
Since taking over the O-line in 2009, UCF has racked up at least 20 rushing touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. That included 36 in 2010 which tied for the second-most all-time, as well as 27 in 2011 which rank fourth in school history.
During the 2012 preseason, two of Key's linemen have received national accolades. Senior Jordan Rae earned a spot on the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which is handed out to the nation's top center, and senior Theo Goins was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, and that is awarded to the top interior lineman in the country.
UCF football season tickets are currently available for as low as $140, while single-game tickets and flex plans are also on sale. For more information and to place an order, call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com. Attending a UCF football game is a great way to celebrate birthdays, corporate outings or any special occasion. Please ask about group packages today.